An Electromagnetics Question For The Panel

Originally Posted By Inspector 57

Backstory:

As some of you know, I am addicted to carrying a satchel. Briefcase. Man-purse. Whatever you want to call it. One never knows when one may need a cough drop. Or goodgirl's work number. Or a 20% off Border's coupon. Or some pseudephedrine. You get the picture.

I carried my black one way longer than I should have. The lining was ripping from the sides, the top zipper was broken.

Then I found a new brown leather one. It was $325 retail; I paid $17. (Yes, there are some perks of working at a department store.) It's very nice.


Information That's Actually Relevant:

One of the outside flaps zips shut. On the other side, the flap closes magnetically. There must be a metal panel in the flap and a magnet on the inside. Or vice versa.

The magnet is strong. If I don't carry much junk in the bag, just through the normal jostling, my glasses case (which I didn't even know had a metal lining 'til this happened) will migrate over to that side of the case and become affixed to the magnet. The glasses case, with my glasses in it, will ride above the floor of the satchel.


Finally, the Question:

So if the magnetic field is that strong, will it potentially mess up my cell phone to carry it in this case?

I haven't noticed any weirdnesses in my phone, and I have been carrying it in the case. Well, yes I have noticed a weirdness. When I locate a name in my address book and press "call," it frequently pops up the wrong name, but dials the right number. (For example, I page to "Undergrad Psych Office" and hit "call." The screen reads: "Calling Sue." But it dials the right number. Can't figure that one out.

If the magnetism could mess up the flip-top camera phone, is there some way I could protect it?


The Expression of Gratitude for Anyone Who Responds:

Thanks!

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

Nothing in a cell phone can be damaged by a magnetic field. Some cell phone cases even use a magnetic latch.

 

Originally Posted By beamerdog

I got a designer purse at a flea market years ago. It had an incredibly strong magnetic bar/clasp at the top. Shortly after carrying it, some of my credit cards wouldn't work. The bank told me that a strong magnet will "wipe out" necessary informatin on the card. I don't know if that's an urban legend or not. Just thought I'd share.

 

Originally Posted By idleHands

"The magnet is strong. If I don't carry much junk in the bag, just through the normal jostling, my glasses case (which I didn't even know had a metal lining 'til this happened) will migrate over to that side of the case and become affixed to the magnet. The glasses case, with my glasses in it, will ride above the floor of the satchel."


I feel the mystery regarding $325 retail marked down to $17 has been solved. :^)

 

Originally Posted By chickendumpling

You're credit cards are likely demagnitized now. That's you get for carrying a man-purse.

Love Ya
Mean It.

 

Originally Posted By chickendumpling

Of course I have no idea what I am talking about. I'm just feeling ornery or however you spell that.

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

<<The bank told me that a strong magnet will "wipe out" necessary informatin on the card.>>

Credit cards have magnetic strips on them (that's the brown/black stripe on the back) that carries the card information. It is for a merchant's convenience only; it only carries the same information that is embossed and printed on the card.

 

Originally Posted By beamerdog

Would not having the info interfere with the card reader when you swipe? (I guess that's what I really meant.) The card didn't "swipe" correctly.

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

Yes, the magnet will erase all the information on the strip, making it unreadable. But the card can still be used; the merchant has to manually type in the card number and expiration date.

 

Originally Posted By SuzieQ

And don't keep hotel keys with a magnetic stripe near your cell phone. It will deactivate your key.

 

Originally Posted By goodgirl

Well if you depend on your card at the ATM then you might have a problem if the stripe is demagnetized. Best to play it safe and keep them away from the magnet.

To be honest, some credit/debit/ATM cards that are kept together can demagnetize one another. It used to happen more in the past than it does now but we used to replace a lot of ATM cards that became demagnetized because they were carried abutted up to another credit card in a person's wallet.

If you want I-57, I can send you some little anti-magnetic envelopes for your cards with mag stripes.

 

Originally Posted By goodgirl

You know, if you ever have to go in for an MRI, I'd leave the bag outside in that little room with your clothes.

 

Originally Posted By friendofdd

LOL, goodgirl.

I 57, it may also damage your DL annual passport.

But, nevermind that, is it a cute bag?

 

Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland

ROFLMAO Inspector! )

 

Originally Posted By Blacksheep Uncle

besides the credit card issues, you'll probably set off those theft detector things at some stores too...

 

Originally Posted By beamerdog

I57, why don't you take it to a shoe repair shop and have them remove the magnet and sew on a velcro strip? Even with the expense, it's still an awesome deal!

 

Originally Posted By goodgirl

Can you imagine the Inspector stepping into an elevator bag slung over his right shoulder. Standing to his left is a 70-ish grey haired woman. To his right is an attractive gentleman. Slung over his left shoulder is a designer bag similiar to the Inspector's. The doors close. All three are standing still, rising to the top of the skyscraper. With a subtle yearning the magnets in the two handbags pull toward each other...

 

Originally Posted By goodgirl

Here's some info off the internet:

<a href="http://www.oreilly.com/pub/a/oreilly/editors/magnet_0204.html" target="_blank">http://www.oreilly.com/pub/a/o
reilly/editors/magnet_0204.html</a>

<<Magnets can also fool devices that use a magnet to detect when to switch on and off, like some laptops and flip-top cell phones. In that case, you might find your phone mysteriously turn on (or off) when it's near a strong magnet.>>

 

Originally Posted By DVC_dad

Your magnet can also demagnetize the magnetic numbers across the borrom of your checks in your check book. This isn't a problem it will just take your checks an extra day to clear your bank.

 

Originally Posted By SuperDry

<<Magnets can also fool devices that use a magnet to detect when to switch on and off, like some laptops and flip-top cell phones. In that case, you might find your phone mysteriously turn on (or off) when it's near a strong magnet.>>

But let's not confuse this with the reported situation of a wierdness with the operation of the dialing directory. What I57 described is highly unlikely to be caused by an external magnetic field (it sounds like a software bug to me), nor is anything else on his phone likely to be affected by the magnet unless his phone is one of the few models that has a flip panel AND uses a magnet to determine whether the flip is open or not. I would not worry about it.

I think a much more likely problem is mag stripe demagnetization on credit cards and the like. Those definately can be wiped out if put near a strong magnet.

<<< Credit cards have magnetic strips on them (that's the brown/black stripe on the back) that carries the card information. It is for a merchant's convenience only; it only carries the same information that is embossed and printed on the card. >>>

Well, not exactly. There is some additional information on the stripe, such as country of issue. Also, at least in the case of Visa or MasterCard cards used in the US, new rules went into effect a few years ago that make the merchant pay slightly higher fees if the card information is keyed in rather than swiped. This is due to the increased risk of fraud associated with non-swiped transactions.